Unlike Terms

The unlike terms not having the same literal coefficients.

For example:

(i) 5ab, 5a, 5ac are unlike terms because they do not have identical variables.

(ii) 11xy, 11x²y, 11xy² are unlike terms.

(iii) 2x, 2y, 2m are unlike terms.

Now look at the terms of the following polynomials:

(i) 11a²b² + 3ab²

We observe that two terms of the binomial (11a²b² and 3ab²) have same variables raised to different powers. So, the binomial is made up of two unlike terms or dissimilar terms.


(ii) 7m² - 2m + 10m³

We observe that the three terms of the trinomial have same variables (m) raised to different powers. So, the above trinomial is made up of three unlike or dissimilar terms.

(iii) 3x² - 5xy + 7x²y

We observe that the three terms of the trinomial (3x², 5xy and 7x²y) have different variables raised to different powers. So, the trinomial is made up of three unlike terms.


(iv) 11m³n³ - nm + 9m² - 4m²n²

We observe that the four terms of the polynomials (11m³n³, nm, 9m² and 4m²n²) have different variables raised to different power. The numerical coefficients are also different. So, the polynomials is made up of four unlike or dissimilar terms.

Examples to identify unlike or dissimilar terms:

Identify which pairs contain unlike terms in the following:

(i) 5ab, 7ab

(ii) 3x, 4x²

(iii) m, n

(iv) 2m², 3m³

(v) 6a²b, 11ab²

(vi) –xy, 7yx

Solution:

(i) 5ab, 7ab

The terms 5ab and 7ab have same literal factors (ab) so this pair is a like term.

(ii) 3x, 4x²

The terms 3x and 4x² have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.

(iii) m, n

The terms m and n have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.

(iv) 2m², 3m³

The terms 2m² and 3m³ have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.



(v) 6a²b, 11ab²

The terms 6a^2b and 11ab^2 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.

(vi) –xy, 7yx

The terms –xy and 7yx have same literal factors (xy) so this pair is a like term.

● Terms

Like and Unlike Terms

Like Terms

Addition of Like Terms

Subtraction of Like Terms

Adding and Subtracting Like Terms

Unlike Terms

Addition of Unlike Terms

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